Alpheton couple reunited with piece of family history on wedding day

Eloise Britcher, of Alpheton, was reunited with a Rolls Royce from her family's history when she married Joseph Leney on Saturday, June 30, 2018. Photo credit: Nick Woodward - http://woodwardcars.co.uk (2882671)

When a Suffolk woman discovered a piece of family history on the internet years ago, it set off a chain of events that would help shape her wedding day.

Eloise Britcher, of Alpheton, married Joseph Leney, originally from Great Cornard, on Saturday, having arrived at church in the same car that had been in her family three generations earlier.

The car, a vintage Rolls Royce, had once belonged to her great-great uncle, Alfred Shread, a fruit and vegetable wholesaler from London who bought the car on February 27, 1934.

Over the decades, the vehicle changed hands several times, first being acquired by a former Spitfire pilot who had built up a car collection.

The collection was then sold at an RAF auction, with the Rolls Royce going to a buyer in Wales.

It was then eventually purchased by retired police officer Nick Woodward, who now runs Woodward Cars, a wedding car company.

Mr Woodward explained he had been surprised a few years ago when Eloise, who is originally from Assington, contacted him after discovering the car’s history on his website while researching her family history online, which led to them coming to see him in Surrey.

He said: “It was literally at that meeting that her father whispered in my ear that, if she ever got married, could she use that car to go to her wedding? I said it would be a huge honour.

“The day itself was fantastic. It was lovely for them to be reunited with the car.

“The car became a huge focus and for Eloise to be driven in it to the church with her father was just amazing. She said she had been dreaming of this moment for years.”

Eloise’s mother Linda told the Free Press: “It made the day perfect and magical. It was amazing that we were able to have the car with us.”